These are NOT the rules!

[UnklMickey]

OK, new friend, I hope you've read the rules, because they are just that THE RULES.

As a senior member (I haven't been here nearly as long as some members -- I just have had lots to say.),
I want to SUGGEST some guidelines for posting:

• 1 -- Have FUN with it.
  Humor is WONDERFUL on a forum. Don't hesitate to "crack-wise" once in a while. BUT, don't be mean!
  
  
• 2 -- Have a thick skin.
  Don't take things too personally. Whether you have left yourself open to be the butt of a joke, or you mis-spoke in a debate, we mostly ENJOY having fun. EVEN IF ESPECIALLY IF we are the subject of the humor.
  
  
• 3 -- DON"T MAKE THINGS UP!
  If you don't have facts to base your statements on, it's perfectly O.K. to say "I think..." or "I suppose..." etc. If you declare something as fact, be prepared to debate. (And that's a GOOD thing.)
  
  Oh, Yeah. BTW: there are some members on the forum who are ENGINEERS, so B.S. WILL be exposed for what it is! (And that's a BAD thing!)
  
  
• 4 -- Want help?
  Start by listing all the facts pertinent to the problem. A thread that starts with a post like "My guitar doesn't sound good any more. How do I fix it?" won't get nearly as many responses as one with more info on HOW it sounds bad, and a brief history of WHAT CHANGED between when it sounded good and now. It usually takes quite a few questions and answers to diagnose a problem, so the more info up front, the sooner you get to a possible cure.
  
  BTW, get a cheap little volt-ohm meter.
  Even digital ones can be had for as little as $4 on sale at discount tool houses. If someone asks you to take a resistance measurement as part of the troubleshooting, you'll already be prepared.
  
  
• 5 -- We can't always help.
  We try and that's worth a lot. Be sure to thank those who do try.
  
  
• 6 -- Don't have hurt feelings,
  If you help, and someone doesn't want to use your brand-new-gonna-change-the-guitar-world-as-we-know-it modification you just suggested, let it go. Sometimes what seems perfect for you in a certain situation, just isn't right for the guy you just suggested it to. Rest assured, if it's well thought out, it will almost certainly interest someone somewhere.
  
  
• 7 -- Spend some time reading the older posts on the forum.
  There are some great ideas already out there.
  
  
• 8 -- Give us some feedback.
  Sure, we know you'll be back if the first idea doesn't work. That's because you need another idea to try. But don't just disappear when you do fix the problem. Show some CLASS and tell us WHAT fixed the problem, so we can use the info to help the next guy!
  
  
• 9 -- Use the Spell Check.
  You may not always have time, but when you do, correcting misspelled words makes it easier for others to read your post, and makes you look a bit smarter too.

I'm sure I'll come up with some other suggestions to help you get started and fit in, but for now, remember, these are only my SUGGESTIONS.

Concentrate on suggestion #1, and "WELCOME ABOARD!"



UnklMickey


EDIT:

• 9 -- When modifying your post,
  especially if someone has already responded to the part you are going to modify, select the part you want to change, click on the strike-through icon, then type the changed text immediately following.
  
  That way the responder doesn't look like a doofus.
  
  Or edit by amending at the end of your post like I have here.
  
  
• 10 -- Never be too proud to admit when you are wrong.
  It only adds to your credibility. We ALL make mistakes.
  
  
• 11 -- If you have your message preferences set so that you get an alert when you get new messages,
  Be careful. if you preview a post you are creating, and an alert box comes up indicating a new message, don't go to the new message. If you do you will lose all the typing you have just done on your post. Hit cancel, finish your post, then go to your messages.